Photo courtesy of the Last Chance Alliance.
Santa Barbara, Calif. — On April 10, the California Coastal Commission issued an $18 million fine and other major penalties against Sable Offshore Corporation for “extensive and unpermitted work” that harmed habitats and waters on California’s coastline, according to a press release from the Last Chance Alliance (LCA)
The LCA said the fine was the largest ever imposed on any party in the history of the Commission. The illegal work by Sable was done in its effort to complete repairs on the corroded pipeline that was responsible for the horrific Refugio Oil Spill of 2015 that fouled many miles of the Southern California coast — and closed recreational and commercial fishing and halted other recreational activities off the coast’s iconic beaches for many months. The Plains All American company was the pipeline owner at that time.
“Sable, a new Texas oil company, has been rushing to complete repairs on an old, severely damaged pipeline, in violation of cease and desist orders from the Commission and numerous notices of violation from the Commission and other state agencies,” the LCA wrote. “At Thursday’s hearing, the Commission also voted to levy a Cease and Desist Order that will remain in effect until Sable obtains approvals for both past and future activities related to its onshore and offshore pipelines and a Restoration Order to address the significant impacts of the unpermitted work.”
“Sable is attempting to restart a massive oil and gas drilling operation on the Gaviota Coast, including the heavily corroded pipeline — the same one that burst in 2015, causing one of the worst oil spills in California history. The spill near Refugio State Beach poisoned 150 miles of the California coast. It killed hundreds of birds and marine mammals, including dolphins and sea lions, and devastated local economies,” the LCA stated.
At the hearing, staff presented extensive evidence that Sable ignored state orders, plowed through sensitive habitats, and conducted large-scale excavation, all in violation of California’s Coastal Act, according to the group.
Specifically, the Commission staff said the illegal activities onshore included, but were not limited to, “excavation with heavy equipment; removal of major vegetation; grading and widening of roads; installation of metal plates and other fill material within wetlands; dewatering and discharge of water; pipeline removal, replacement, and reinforcement; installation of shutoff valves; and other development associated with the Las Flores Pipelines CA-324 and CA-325; as well as offshore development including, but not necessarily limited to, placing sand and cement bags on the seafloor below and adjacent to out-of-service offshore oil and water pipelines; all without the requisite Coastal Act authorization, as part of an effort to restart Santa Ynez Unit oil production operations and bring the pipelines back into use.”
“In light of the failure of Santa Barbara County to act and Sable’s utter disregard for the law, I’m left with no choice but to support the application of these penalties today,” said Commissioner Meagan Harmon.
A fine of $14.9 million was initially recommended by staff, but during the hearing, Chair Cummings brought a motion to increase the fine to the maximum of $18 million.
A potential efficiency discount would bring the fine back down to around $14.9 million should the company comply with and pursue the suggested pathway by the commission staff, the LCA noted.
“On behalf of our clients and the broader community, we applaud the Coastal Commission’s actions to hold Sable accountable for its unpermitted work and the significant harm it has caused to habitats, species, and waters on the Central Coast,” said Alex Katz, Executive Director of Environmental Defense Center, which represents Get Oil Out!, the Santa Barbara County Action Network, the Sierra Club, and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper in this case. “Sable’s reprehensible conduct not only warrants the $18 million fine and the other orders — it should be disqualifying for any company, especially one that wants to operate a highly dangerous project like this.”
“:After this behavior, how can we trust this company to operate responsibly, safely, or in compliance with any regulations or laws? California can’t afford another disaster on our coast. It’s time to end this ill-conceived project and permanently decommission this failed pipeline before it causes more harm,” noted Katz.
Sable had previously received two Cease and Desist Orders for conducting work on the pipeline in the coastal zone without required authorizations and in violation of the Coastal Act, the LCA revealed. The company almost immediately sued the commission after the most recent order, vowed to continue work in defiance of the order, and is telling investors that restart of the pipeline is anticipated in the second quarter of 2025.
“This landmark enforcement action reflects the Commission’s foundational mission: protecting the California coast from irresponsible oil development. The agency was established in the wake of the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, when an offshore platform blowout spilled millions of gallons of crude into the Pacific Ocean, blackening beaches and killing thousands of birds and marine animals. The public outcry that followed helped birth the modern environmental movement and led directly to the creation of the Coastal Commission through a voter initiative in 1972. The April 11 action underscores the Commission’s unique authority under the California Coastal Act to protect coastal resources and hold violators accountable,” the LCA continued.
Environmental and climate advocates from across California applauded the Commission’s vote — and for playing such a pivotal oversight role in protecting the coast from the restart of the aging pipeline and the risk of more oil spills.
“Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples supports the Coastal Commissions Staff’s recommendations for issuing appropriate fines and mandatory restoration projects,” said Spenser James, Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples. “Additionally, we recommend that an equitable portion of the money from the fines be earmarked for Chumash Tribes and Chumash Non-Profits. Additionally, all restoration work should be done in meaningful and respectful partnership with the Chumash Peoples.”
“On behalf of the Indigenous Environmental Network, we firmly stand against this zombie pipeline,” said Brenna Yellowthunder, Indigenous Environmental Network. “As the first and last lines of defense against these extractive projects, Indigenous Peoples steward over 80% of the world’s biodiversity. We were at the hearing today because we need to defend our land and water. For our future seven generations, we need to do everything and anything to put a stop to the Santa Barbara pipeline. Today’s vote to issue a $18 million penalty against Sable was a critical step in the right direction. As corporate greed drags these pipelines back to life, the California Coastal Commission is showing leadership where our 47th president will not by choosing the people over profit.”
“These pipelines have continued to be a looming threat to Chumash cultural resources, marine ecosystems, and the communities of Santa Barbara County,” said Mati Waiya, Executive Director of the Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation. “Wishtoyo is proud of the Coastal Commission for standing up against oil development for our communities.”
“California’s coastal communities and vital natural resources are already at serious risk due to climate change and decades of contamination from polluting industries,” said Nicole Ghio, California Director, Food & Water Watch. “With our federal government appearing to walk in lockstep with the fossil fuel industry at every turn, today’s decision by the Coastal Commission shows we have leaders in California willing to step up and prioritize people over corporate greed. We call on all of our state’s leaders to reject Sable’s misguided attempt to restart drilling in Santa Barbara despite the history of environmental and public safety impacts.”
“For decades, the oil and gas industry has sought to claim the Central Coast, all while damaging our coast, environment, and communities,” said Haley Ehlers, Executive Director, Climate First: Replacing Oil & Gas (CFROG). “We applaud the Coastal Commission’s vigilance in holding an irresponsible operator accountable for egregious violations that put our beautiful region at risk. Our state leaders must follow suit to stop all unlawful work by Sable and ensure this corroded pipeline is decommissioned, rather than reactivated.”
“In the aftermath of the horrific 2015 oil spill at Refugio State Beach, the California Coastal Commission worked diligently to protect vulnerable ocean species and habitats,” said Maureen Ellenberger, Chair of Sierra Club’s Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter. “Now, with Sable’s attempts to circumvent cease and desist orders and restart the same pipeline responsible for that devastating spill, the Coastal Commission is stepping up once again. Sierra Club applauds the Commission’s decisive action today to protect Santa Barbara from this zombie pipeline. In the face of environmental threats from both the federal government and private corporations, it’s inspiring to see the Commission demonstrate why California stands apart in its commitment to environmental protection.”
“The California Coastal Commission did the right thing today by holding Sable accountable for its violations of California environmental protections,” said Allie Rosenbluth, U.S. Campaign Manager, Oil Change International. “Now, it’s time for Governor Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta to step in and stop this dangerous pipeline from coming back online. Newsom is proud of his reputation as a climate champion, but to deserve that title, he needs to stand up against fossil fuel projects like the Sable Pipeline, which will worsen the fires and heatwaves that ravage California each year, spill oil on its beaches, and pollute communities’ air and water.”
“The Coastal Commission showed up for our community today and made the right choice to hold Sable responsible for the damage they’ve caused,” said Jenna McGovern, UCSB Environmental Affairs Board, UCSB Stop Sable Coalition. “This made an example out of Sable that we all can learn from: no one is above the law. Students of all ages used their voices, and we thank the commission for lending their time to hear our concerns. We fell in love with this coastline and chose to make it our home — now we’ve taken it on as our job to protect, and we are optimistic for this issue to be put behind us. Students have long advocated for oil divestment, and we will continue to show up. It’s a privilege to be supported by this powerful state commission and continue on as a world leader in climate action.”
“We are pleased that the Commission has taken strong actions to protect the California Coast by requiring Sable Offshore to stop its unauthorized pipeline work to restart oil drilling on the Gaviota Coast and restore the damage this work caused to habitats and waters,” said Ted Morton, Executive Director, Santa Barbara Channelkeeper.
“On behalf of our clients and the broader community, we applaud the Coastal Commission’s actions to hold Sable accountable for its unpermitted work and the significant harm it has caused to habitats, species, and waters on the Central Coast,” said Alex Katz, Executive Director, Environmental Defense Center. “Sable’s reprehensible conduct not only warrants the $18 million fine and the other orders – it should be disqualifying for any company, especially one that wants to operate a highly dangerous project like this. After this behavior, how can we trust this company to operate responsibly, safely, or in compliance with any regulations or laws? California can’t afford another disaster on our coast. It’s time to end this ill-conceived project and permanently decommission this failed pipeline before it causes more harm.”
Court blocks Commission’s request for a TRO:
Unfortunately, the week after the Coastal Commission issued its fine, a Santa Barbara Superior Court blocked the Commission’s request for a temporary restraining order to block Sable Offshore’s repair and maintenance on the controversial pipeline, according to msm.com:
“California Attorney General Rob Bonta had sought a restraining order against Sable (NYSE:SOC) after the commission voted April 10 to issue its third cease-and-desist order to stop the company's repair work on the dormant onshore pipeline with the intent of restarting offshore oil production at its Santa Ynez unit
In the request for the restraining order, the California Coastal Commission had alleged Sable (NYSE:SOC) was continuing unpermitted development, while the company said its work was not causing environmental harm and that Santa Barbara County already had concluded the work was authorized under existing permits.”
LCA LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
“We acknowledge that Santa Barbara is the traditional home of the Chumash people. Part of our commitment to decolonizing ourselves, our language, and our organizations is a commitment to learning and better understanding the history of Indigenous Peoples of so-called California, including the history of contact, colonization and the extraction of resources from Indigenous lands which has been part of the continuation of modern colonization.”
Background: Big Oil spends record money to thwart climate justice in California
While California politicians often portray themselves as “green” and “progressive,” they are still heavily influenced by Big Oil and other Big Money interests.
The Western States Petroleum Association, the largest and most powerful corporate lobbying group in Sacramento, and Chevron, an environmental and human rights violator across the world, wield enormous influence over state officials.
The oil industry spent a total of $38 million in lobbying expenses in 2024, shattering by 31 percent the annual state lobbying record of $26.2 million set in 2017, to thwart climate justice and other environmental legislation, according to an analysis by the Last Chance Alliance.
Spending by the Western States Petroleum Association and Chevron alone shattered the previous record, coming in at $31.6 million in 2024. WSPA and Chevron accounted for 83% of the industry’s expenditure.
The Western States Petroleum Association placed first in the Big Oil lobbying spending spree with $17.4 million, while Chevron came in second with $14.2 million.
CRC/Aera Energy took third place, spending $2.1 million in 2024. Marathon Petroleum placed fourth, spending $1.5 million, while Phillips 66 placed fifth, spending $876,563.
Big Oil crushed its two-year legislative session record as well, spending $65.8 million during the 2023-2024 legislative session. This far exceeds the $44.1 million spent during the 2017-2018 session, the LCA said.
WSPA and the oil companies wield their power in 8 major ways: through (1) lobbying; (2) campaign spending; (3) serving on and putting shills on regulatory panels; (4) creating Astroturf groups; (5) working in collaboration with media; (6) sponsoring awards ceremonies and dinners, including those for legislators and journalists; (7) contributing to non profit organizations; and (8) creating alliances with labor unions, mainly construction trades.
Big Oil lobbyists and CEOs have often served on state advisory and regulatory panels and commissions.
For example, Catherine Reheis-Boyd, the president and CEO of WSPA, served as the chair of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative Blue Ribbon Task Force to create “marine protected areas” in Southern California waters from 2009 to 2012 at the same she was lobbying for new offshore drilling off the California Coast. She also served on the task forces to create “marine protected areas” on the Central Coast, North Central Coast and North Coast from 2004 to 2012.
Even more insidious is the WSPA’s sponsorship of dinners and awards ceremonies for journalists. WSPA was one of the “lede sponsors” of the Sacramento Press Club’s Annual Journalism Awards Reception on April 11, 2024. Sammy Roth of the Los Angeles Times won the “impact in journalism” award, while Doni Chamberlin of A News Cafe won the “courage in journalism” award.
For my article exposing the Western States Petroleum Association's campaign to sponsor dinners and awards receptions for journalists, please read the link below. This is deep investigative journalism that goes to the very root of the rot that infects our society: the capture of politicians, the regulatory agencies and media by Big Oil and other Big Money interests: www.dailykos.com/…
